Some local residents still believe in a strange legend related to these star-shaped grains of sand.
Hoshizuna-no-Hama, meaning “Sand in the Shape of a Star”, is a small yet enchanting beach in Japan famous for its tiny star-shaped grains of sand.
Located on Irimote, the second-largest island in Okinawa Prefecture, Hoshizuna-no-Hama does not look significantly different from the hundreds of other beaches in Japan, at least at first glance.
However, upon closer inspection, many grains of sand are distinctly recognizable – in the shape of five or six-pointed stars.
According to IFLScience, these little stars are actually remnants of a species called Baclogypsina sphaerulata, first described in 1860.
Baclogypsina sphaerulata is a member of an ancient group of protists (single-celled organisms that are widely distributed and consume organic matter) known as Foraminifera. This group is believed to have existed since the early Cambrian period, around 540 million years ago.
As Baclogypsina sphaerulata drift through the ocean, they collect calcium carbonate to form shells in various shapes, from round spots to complex spiral forms and even star shapes. When Baclogypsina sphaerulata dies, their shells often settle on the ocean floor, with some drifting onto the beaches of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
Many locals believe that the star-shaped grains of sand are related to a strange legend.
Measuring just a few millimeters, the star-shaped grains of sand are initially hard to notice, but when these small stars stick to your fingers and toes, you will begin to see that they look different from ordinary sand grains.
Some people visit Hoshizuna-no-Hama specifically to hunt for star-shaped sand, which has led local authorities to issue a ban on taking this type of sand home.
The internet and social media, in particular, have truly boosted the popularity of Hoshizuna-no-Hama beach, which has proven to be both a blessing and a curse, as the apparent benefits for local businesses have accelerated the disappearance of the star-shaped sand due to the increase in tourists.
Scientists regard star-shaped sand as merely the outer skeleton of billions of foraminifera species, but some locals still believe in the local legend that these grains of sand are the tiny offspring of the Southern Cross and North Star.
They were born in the ocean just off the coast of Okinawa but were killed shortly after by a giant snake. Their tiny skeletons are all that remains.
Hoshizuna-no-Hama is the most famous star sand beach in Okinawa, but it is not the only one. Other similar beaches can be found on the nearby Taketomi, Tokashiki, and Hatoma islands.
For more incredible beaches around the world, you can explore the stunning Popcorn Beach or the breathtaking Diamond Beach in Iceland.
Scientifically, star-shaped sand leaves a very useful legacy. Scientists can use them to learn about the Earth from millions of years ago, uncovering clues about the age of rocks and ancient climates.
